If you missed yesterday’s post, we were discussing the bottom ruffle on Nora’s skirt. It was a bit too short to suit me and I wanted it to be similar in width to the other two ruffles. I think it would have driven me crazy if I hadn’t fixed it… It took a little extra time, but I like the look much better now… hope you do too.
I also wanted to change the skirt’s waist band to something less bulky than the elastic that was run through the top of the band. This is what those things looked like yesterday…
It just didn’t look as flattering as I thought it could with a different waist treatment…
I decided I was going to add extra length to the ruffle by adding an extension up under the bottom ruffle. It wasn’t going to be seen so I used a piece of white lightweight cotton and cut a strip about 1 1/2″ wide and the width of my 32″ skirt ruffle. I wanted to save any scraps in case I needed them for something. I took the skirt apart in the back seam and opened it up flat. To make sure I cut the ruffle off evenly I made a mark on my machine and laid the edge of the bottom ruffle next to it. I stitched as close to the gathered edge but gave myself enough room to stitch on the white extension. Then I cut off part of the bottom ruffle with my scissors, following the stitching line… (it’s hard to see)
I then took my white strip and laid it next to the cut edge of the bottom ruffle and stitched it on close to the edge.
When I had stitched it all the way around the bottom ruffle, I serged the edges…
When pressed, it looked like this…
Here’s another shot…
I evened that bottom edge of the white fabric up with the bottom of the second ruffle and then stitched back on the bottom section of the ruffle I had cut off…when pressed, it looked like this.
Then I could proceed to finishing the skirt… I decided the best way to make a smooth waist area was to use a pretty strong piece of spandex stretch elastic…it’s sort of like a Spanx undergarment for an American Girl doll. It gives Nora’s waist a nice smooth, flat area…
I thought I might as well show you the inside of the skirt…front and back…
Here is Nora showing you the finished skirt…It can be pulled up higher on her waist if the winner wants the dress shorter.
It does smooth out the tummy area of her dress and gives her a flattering figure!
I don’t have the back finished yet, but should be able to get this set completed pretty quickly.
Well, what do you think?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I thought of thinner fabric but I didn’t think of stretch elastic lace. I should have, I have some of your petticoats. Speaking of petticoats, this dress looks like it may not need one. What about pantalettes? What buttons are you choosing for the back of the dress? This is a blog-less evening. We won’t be able to see your progress until Sunday night. Anything might happen by then.
We had a wonderful (unless you were out in it) cloudburst this afternoon. I may not have to water today.
HI Marilyn,
I know stretch elastic wasn’t used back in 1900, but it worked so well for what I needed, I decided to forego the authenticity of the dress and go for looks! :o)
The skirt has a lot of body and I think I may be able to pass on the petticoat, but I was considering pantalettes… we’ll see…
Yes, who knows what may happen by tomorrow night! :o)
We had a slightly cooler day today too… it was 84 degrees when we were out and about… it felt much nicer to be outside!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
How clever and pretty it looks now with that stretch black “corset” you added! So now I see what you were talking about yesterday! This should fit most any AG doll! I love the way you showed us how you added extra length to the bottom ruffle, and like Marilyn says, I certainly doesn’t need a petticoat for extra fullness!
I love it when all you see is color, color, color, then a stunning black and white creation shows up. It says “Stop,—- look at me”! This is certainly going to be one of those “Stop, look at me” dresses!
Wish we could have one of those pop-up rain storms here, like Marilyn mentioned. It has cooled off and the humidity level is down, so I can’t complain. Have a good weekend, Jeanne, I’m always thinking about you! Hugs!
Thanks for your kind comments Linda. I’m glad you enjoyed the somewhat “tutorial” on how I did the skirt ruffle. It really was the only way to get that bottom ruffle longer since I had no more fabric to use.
It was nice out today wasn’t it? You could actually be outside and not worry about being outside going from place to place. It has been so hot, you just dreaded getting out of the car.
It’s pretty nice right now…
I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend too!
Blessings, Jeanne
The outfit is just stunning, Jeanne. You surely know how to make a doll look so dreamy and attractive with the carefully crafted clothing you make them. Thank you for showing us the underside of your work and the steps to accomplish it. I so admire your blog.
Blessings.
Thanks so much Becky,
I hope everyone learned something today from the pictures I shared on how to lengthen a piece of fabric. As long as it can be hidden, it will work.
Thanks for your compliments…and I’m so glad you enjoy my blog!
Blessings, Jeanne
Ticking, ticking, ticking, all those brain cells figuring out how to make this lovely outfit just right! And now it is perfect. So cute on Nora.
Hope you have a fun weekend.
HI Joy,
Sometimes that “ticking” keeps me awake at night, trying to think of a solution to a predicament I’ve created… this one, thankfully, was a pretty easy fix. I’m pleased with how it turned out and it sounds like you are too… Thanks!
Blessings, Jeanne
Yeah, me too, with the ticking. Have figured out a lot though in the middle of the night. 🙂
:o)
The dress is perfect and thank you for showing us how you lengthened it and addressed the waist line. You work miracles. I think the length is perfect. This dress reminds me of a beautifully serious dress – in my girls’ stories, this dress would be worn for an important trip to the big city. Perhaps to visit relatives not seen for awhile. I love the black print dresses you’ve done. They are always so elegant.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you for your kind compliments on Nora’s dress, Paula. I’ve always liked making black and white dresses…and sometimes just black! Even when I made little girls dresses, the black print ones sold very well. I’ll have to get my story for this one “just right!”
Thanks again and I hope your weekend is great too!
Blessings, Jeanne
I think the longer length does look better. And the way you did it was very creative.
I love the elastic lace. It is so functional and so pretty too!
I love this outfit.
I hope have a great weekend.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
The great thing about the elastic waist is, if the person who wins this wants the dress shorter looking, all they have to do is pull the elastic up a bit and it suddenly becomes shorter.
I’m glad you like it so far…
Blessings, Jeanne
That took lots of extra work but it made a big difference! Love the way it is adjustable for length you clever seamstress. Oh, and could you make some of those waist smoothers in adult sizes too? ?
This outfit is shaping up to be a favorite!
HI Kathie,
Yes, extra time usually means it makes it better! I’m glad I made the changes to the skirt…
Waist smoothers, huh? I think you can find them at Walmart! :o) It’s summertime… let it all hang out! :o) (Well, maybe not “all” of it!) :o)
Thanks so much Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Nora’s dress does look much better lengthened and I am really in love with the fabric. Your method of fixing the too short ruffle was very clever. The stretch lace at the waist was a perfect solution as well. I think this outfit is one of my favorites, understated, but very, very elegant. I’m looking forward to seeing how you chose to finish this one off. I like Paula’s idea. Perhaps Nora is off to visit relatives. Have you ever see the movie “Life with Father”?
Thank you for your sweet comments, Laura. I’m hoping to find some time to work on it this evening… I’m ready to see it all finished and look at it “from afar!”
I LOVE watching old movies when I’m sewing, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Life with Father. I know I’ve heard of it, but when I googled it and looked at the images, nothing looked familiar. It even says Elizabeth Taylor is in it… I’ll have to look for…
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Sunday! I am so glad your weather is cooler. It does make such a difference.
HI Marilyn,
It has been a pretty nice day. I took Bithar grocery shopping after church, with all 3 kids and she started having contractions in Kroger! Yikes… Her hubby is in Haiti until Friday… Please Lord, don’t let that baby come till he gets back!
~ Jeanne